Later that evening, after dinner had become a chaotic, laughter-filled affair with spontaneous jokes and unexpected moments of tenderness, Lauren and Larry found themselves alone on the balcony.
The cool night air brushed against them, the city lights below sparkling like distant stars.
Lauren wrapped her arms around herself, leaning against the railing as she looked out over the quiet street. Larry stood beside her, his gaze distant, thoughtful.
“Do you ever think about the future?” Lauren asked, almost casually.
Larry’s eyes flickered toward her, softening with an intensity that made her heart flutter. “Every day,” he replied. “I think about what it’d be like to wake up and not be scared of what comes next.”
Larry sat on the edge of the couch, his elbows digging into his knees, fin
